Works and Days of Division – 29 poems by Martyn Crucefix

Drawing on two disparate sources, this sequence of mongrel-bred poems has been written to respond to the historical moment in this most disunited kingdom. Hesiod’s Works and Days – probably the oldest poem in the Western canon – is a poem driven by a dispute between brothers. The so-called vacana poems originate in the bhakti religious protest movements in 10-12th century India. Through plain language, repetition and refrain, they offer praise to the god, Siva, though they also express personal anger, puzzlement, even despair. Dear reader – if you like what you find here, please share the poems as widely as you can (no copyright restrictions). Or follow this blog for future postings. Bridges need building.

Tuesday 5.03.2019

‘I find oval breasts’

after Devara Dasimayya

 

I find oval breasts

and long hair approaching

I sniff the scent of perfume

call it a woman

 

I find a shovel-shaped beard

broad shoulders

a stance splayed like scissors

I call it a man

 

but look closer

consider these creatures

that hover between

neither man nor woman

 

welcome at last welcome

this is no complaint

to a younger brother

all sisters and brothers

 

I find a gigantic crowd

with my five senses

all sisters and brothers

I know a host of angels

 

turning to each other

singing I see barbed wire

on the perimeter

all the bridges down

 

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